By an executive order issued Monday, President Donald J. Trump announced a directive targeting prominent law firm Jenner & Block LLP, accusing it of engaging in conduct “detrimental to critical American interests” and ordering federal agencies to suspend security clearances, terminate contracts, and limit engagement with the firm and its employees.
The order, titled “Addressing Risks from Jenner & Block,” frames the firm as a national security threat, alleging it supports “partisan lawfare,” promotes racial discrimination, and enables illegal immigration and drug trafficking through its pro bono activities. The directive comes on the heels of a similar order issued earlier this month targeting Perkins Coie LLP.
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Trump’s directive calls on the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and other agency heads to immediately review and suspend any active security clearances held by Jenner attorneys. It also instructs the Office of Management and Budget to identify and cease government-provided services or facilities to the firm “to the extent permitted by law.”
At the center of the executive order is a blistering attack on Jenner’s re-hiring of Andrew Weissmann, a former federal prosecutor and key figure in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference. Trump described Weissmann’s career as “rooted in weaponized government and abuse of power,” citing the overturned prosecution of Arthur Andersen LLP and accusing him of pursuing “nonexistent crimes” and “political agendas.”
The order further directs federal agencies to review and, where legally permissible, terminate existing contracts with Jenner & Block or other entities that engage the firm. Agencies must report their assessments and actions within 30 days.
In a particularly pointed section, Trump’s order limits access to government buildings and official interactions for Jenner employees and discourages future federal employment of Jenner lawyers without a formal waiver process.
While the executive order does not create new legal rights or enforcement mechanisms, it sets a tone of heightened scrutiny and signals an intention to reshape how the federal government interacts with major law firms accused of ideological opposition to Trump’s policies and allies.
The order follows Trump’s broader campaign narrative centered on dismantling what he calls the “weaponization of government” and purging federal institutions of partisan bias. In January, Trump signed Executive Order 14147, aimed at eliminating what he views as politically motivated influence across the federal bureaucracy.
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